Sunday, December 5, 2010

Crocheted snowflakes





The crowd at the craft bazaar was non-existent. There was hardly anybody shopping - I only sold 6 books which did cover the cost of the table and the cookies I bought at the bake sale and the hamburger I bought at the little cafe....but it didn't cover the other artsy things I purchased for gifts! Craft bazaars can be a double edged sword - we do it to make money....but if we spend more than we make, is it worth it? I think the answer is YES! I had fun.

The elderly lady in the booth next to me had several items she had either crocheted or cross-stitched. I loved these little snowflakes. They are each about 2-3" in diameter. She was selling them for $1.50 each which I thought was a bargain. So I bought 13 - one for each of my female co-workers. We do a small gift exchange with all the ladies at work and it is always something small; a votive candle, candy cane, small ornament, bookmark, or even just a card. I'm going to attach a ribbon to each one and slip them into cards for my small gift to the others.

By the way - I don't think Tupperware, self-protection stun guns, brand name jewelry, etc should be allowed at CRAFT bazaars. I think all the vendors should be selling crafts, not merchandise they're retailing. Just my humble opinion. I had all four of the above within a few booths of me. In one way, it works to my benefit because I've got something to sell that is personal, but I think if you get too much of that stuff, people don't come because it's no different than shopping at a mall.

9 comments:

A Lady's Life said...

I agree Pakart.
The bazaars should be home made stuff supporting local crafters.
Or crafters in general, artists,etc... people who themselves create or something.Today it is expensive to create though. Art supplies are expensive, material to sew and knit and that's not to include the labor which takes so much time so as to make the item sold so much more valuable that store bought.
On the other hand store bought is garbage. Lasts only a few days before it falls apart so quality pays for itself and the country as a whole. So I support crafters and they should do more of the same. More garage sales. More internet sales more year round home businesses, more beach front sales and sidewalk sales. More and more people with home made products should be outside doing their thing.The public needs to support local made products if we want this country to be what it was, strong beautiful and free.
Good Stuff. :)

Unknown said...

We have about a dozen of those crochet snowflakes on our tree. They're beautiful and probably time consuming to make as well. $1.50 is an amazing bargain!

And I agree with you about the branded and unrelated stuff.

crochet lady said...

That is a bargain and they are beautiful! I made some snow flakes this year for this first time, it was fun. Although I didn't like the starching part.

Know how you feel. Krissy and I went to a craft show today. Both of us just made our booth fee plus a tad more. Not worth the time and driving distance in my opinion. I think we had enough people...they just weren't buying much.

I totally agree about the vendor/business type things. I think a craft sale should be handmade/assembled items.

tainterturtles said...

I love those crocheted snowflakes. I bought some years ago.

I agree, crafts fairs should be limited to arts and crafts, not stuff manufactured by mass machines!

Aunt Krissy said...

100% with you on that. Avon, Pampered Chef ect, should not be in a "CRAFT" fair. It's not a craft.

Unknown said...

True true... It's off putting going to a market with plastic toys from china being sold... Least you sorta kinda covered costs!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

These snowflakes are beautiful. My MIL made some year ago and we still have them. I agree about the Craft show. I hate to have to wade through that sort of merchandise to get to the crafts.

marianne said...

That was a good deal on those snowflakes!
Too bad you didn't sell many books and indeed Tupperware is for Tupperware parties ;)
Have a nice week!

studio lolo said...

I love those snowflakes! I'd hang them in my studio window. Are you sure you aren't sending me at least 12?? :)

I agree about retail vendors at craft fairs. It's just WRONG! I'm glad you had fun anyway.